A mixture of an Errol Flynn swashbuckler and Monty Python send-up, “The Princess Bride” was a popular film that audiences embraced as a love story, adventure, and satire.
Directed by Rob Reiner (“When Harry Met Sally,” “Stand By Me”) and executive produced by Norman Lear, “Princess Bride,” based on the book by William Goldman (two-time Oscar-winner for best screenplay, “All the President’s Men,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”), is a timeless tale of true love that combines romance, action, adventure and comedy, a family favorite that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.
A sick boy (Fred Savage) is visited by his grandfather (Peter Falk), who reads him “The Princess Bride,” a “kissing” tale set in a medieval make-believe land, where the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Weright Penn) reluctantly becomes engaged to a prince (Chris Sarandon), when her true love, Westley (Cary Elwes) disappears.
Later on, she is kidnapped by a crafty Sicilian (Wallace Shawn, miscast) and his hirelings, Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and gargantuan Fezzik (Andre the Giant). Buttercup is then rescued by a mysterious man in black, who tiurns out to be (surprise!) Westley.
But after surviving the Dreaded Fireswamp, they are apprehended by the prince. Buttercup agrees to marry the prince when he promises to free Westley, but the dashing
Guy is tortured to death. With the help of a miracle maker (Billy Crystal), Inigo and Fezzik join forces with Westley to fight the forces of evil.
The movie is directed by Reiner in tongue-and cheek style that’s also heartfelt (and sentimental in the right places). This fairytale boasts some dazzling adventures that are particularly suitable for very young viewers, and yet is satirical overtones offer pleasure to adult viewers who are familiar with the generic conventions.
Due to the film’s popularity with kids and adults, it’s hard to believe that it took scripter Goldman over a decade to sell his screenplay, which is based on his novel, to an interested studio.
The Princess Bride 20th Anniversary Edition features some of Hollywood’s favorite stars including Robin Wright Penn in her feature film debut, Cary Elwes, and Billy Crystal. The stellar supporting cast includes Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, Christopher Guest as Count Tyrone Rugen , the late Andre The Giant as Fezzik, Fred Savage as the grandson, and Peter Falk as the grandfather/narrator
“The Princess Bride” is one of the perennial top-selling titles in MGM’s catalogue. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of “The Princess Bride,” MGM Home Entertainment is launched the “Ode To Princess Bride Sweepstakes,” an online contest that provides an editor’s tool kit with video, audio and music from the film and allows fans to create their own “Ode to The Princess Bride” video trailer. The contest’s winners will be selected by Norman Lear and Rob Reiner. One grand prize winner will receive a state-of-the-art Panasonic Home Theater package and “The Princess Bride” script, autographed by Rob Reiner and Norman Lear.
As a special bonus, “The Princess Bride” 20th Anniversary Edition DVD features “The Official Princess Bride DVD Game.” Produced by Worldwide Biggies, the game leaves behind the simple text-based, slideshow nature of most DVD games, and transforms the film’s favorite live action actors into fully animated characters in a graphic novel type setting.
“The Official Princess Bride DVD Game” begins during Episode Two after Vizzini, Montoya and Fezzik kidnap Princess Buttercup. Players will assume the role of their favorite characters in a series of interactive challenges and will be rewarded with gems for completing an activity or for receiving an exceptional score.
ACT III Licensing has partnered with retail chain Steve & Barry’s (voted best retailer in 2006 by License! Magazine) for a program to include T-shirts and loungewear for men and women. Other exciting new licensees include: NECA for figures, novelty gifts, accessories, and stationery; Fortune Fashions for t-shirts to hit the mid-tier and mass market; Worldwide Biggies for “The Official Princess Bride Video Game” available for download across all online game sites and MeadWestvaco for calendars. The product will debut this Fall.
Oscar Alert
The movie was nominated for the Best Original Song, “Storybook Love,” by Willy DeVille.
DVD Special Features
True Love and High Adventure: The Official Princess Bride DVD Video Game
Princess Bride: The Untold Tales Featurette
The Art of Fencing Featurette
Fairytales and Folklore Featurette
November 13, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 98 minutes
